(19)

(11)

EP 1 233 707 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.12.2001 (43) Date of publication: 28.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/35 (21) Application number: 00985460.5 (22) Date of filing: 04.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/16 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0004/624 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/9694 (07.06.2001 Gazette 2001/23)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 03.12.1999 GB 9928569 27.06.2000 GB 0015640 09.11.2000 GB 0027394 (71) Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS Leeds, LS2 9JT (GB)	(72) Inventors: Seedhom, Bahaa Padside,Summerbridge HG3 4AL (GB) Toyoda, Takashi Tokyo 140-0004 (JP) Pullan, Michael Leeds LS15 OLS (GB) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  31 St Saviourgate York Y01 8NQ York Y01 8NQ (GB)